“Ostomy on the Go”: Hints and Tips for Travelling as an Ostomate

Travelling with a stoma is no more difficult than travelling without one. It is just a matter of being prepared.

After Surgery

• Perhaps start with small trips first to build up your confidence.

• Check with your surgeon, GP or Stoma Therapist to ensure you can travel (especially if the surgery was in the last 6 months).

What to pack?

• Make a list of supplies and equipment you use or need.

• Depending on the type of trip you are making and the time away calculate how many appliances or bags you would need for the trip, add extra – maybe 50%, even 100% more, taking into account possible accidents, medical mishaps and climate changes to work out the total needed for the trip.

• Pack a few flange extenders and/or barrier rings (donuts) for extra security.

• Pack a few drainable bags.

   

Car, Train, or Coach

• Aways take your emergency pack (even for shopping trips): – a couple of spare pouches/appliances; wipes; nappy bags/sacks;- your usual supplies needed for a change etc.;

  – a MLAK key (get your authorisation letter from your Association to have one cut at a master locksmith);

  – also take change of clothes and a plastic bag for longer trips (this is all insurance and hopefully it means you won’t need it!).

  – check in advance for toilets, service stops, and public toilets on the way – remember to take your disabled toilet card. If you don’t have one already, you can email NSW Stoma to organise one.

  

   

   

   

• Download the National Public Toilet Map App on your phone and search in advance where the facilities are that will suit you, especially if you will be in a black spot for mobile phone coverage.

• Check and change your bag just before leaving.

• Stop and stretch every couple of hours.

• Keep hydrated.

Cruise Ships

• Cruising is a very easy way to travel if you are an ostomate.

• Take double of your supplies needed (as insurance).

• Manage pouch disposal – (many cruise lines provide sanitary bags or take your own Nappy Sacks). Simply place your normal disposal bags inside them and throw them in your bathroom waste bin. Your bin is likely to be emptied once or twice a day.

• If you’re in a small cabin and worried about odours, pack scented disposal bags and/or room freshener. If you wish, ask your steward to have your trash emptied more often.

• If you do Colostomy Irrigation, ask your Cruise Company in advance to provide distilled water for the infusion and a kettle. Your GP can help with a letter to explain this and your cabin steward will be ore than happy to support.

• Get ready to dive in: Don’t let your stoma keep you out of the ship’s pool, or off the beaches or at ports of call, empty the pouch first and make sure it is secure and on for at lease ½ hour beforehand.

Flying

• If needed, carry a letter from your medical practitioner or association explaining that you have a stoma. (NSW Stoma can supply this on request)

• Before travelling, download a Multi Lingual Travel Certificate (available from your appliance supplier) to discreetly explain your condition to airport security.

• Eat a light meal the day before to reduce output and gas.

• Wear comfortable clothing

• Pack your supplies (small emergency pack) in your carry on luggage as well as enough supplies for at least a week.

• Don’t forget your medication.

• Pack a quick change of clothes and plastic bag (just in case). (I always put my emergency pack under the seat or in the seat pouch so I can access easily without taking it out of the carry on bag above the seats).

• Pre-cut your pouches as your stoma scissors may be confiscated.

• Pack wipes rather than liquids (e.g. adhesive remover)

• You may consider wearing a sunflower lanyard that is an international recognised symbol of a hidden disability. I have worn these lanyards many times and they have really helped, especially useful flying internationally.

• These lanyards identify passengers that may need additional help.

  Note: This is a personal choice.

• These can be obtained at major train stations; large shopping centres, Sydney Airport these can be obtained from Terminal One (International) at the Airport Services Centre Level 3 (Admin or from Terminal Two (Domestic) at the Ambassador’s information desk at Arrivals and online – no personal questions are asked.

• Read all about this scheme at: Hidden Disabilities Sunflower (hdsunflower.com)

Note: An excellent article on this was written by the Secretary of our Board, Renee, in our December 2022 Journal.

• Change your pouch just before going through screening and check the baseplate is secure.

• For the flight maybe consider using a drainable bag which might solve the problem of having to change your appliance often and also it might help to “burp” your bag if it balloons with gas in the air.

Security Screening

• When you’re carry on luggage is being screened, be prepared that security may ask to search it. You can discreetly tell them or use the letter you have from your GP or Stoma Association.

• Going through screening, the modern 3D scanners will very likely to identify a pouch. Recently, I have been waved through quite often as the security officers are more educated in understanding what these dark shadows are. Have your multi lingual travel certificate to explain if needed.

• You may be asked to stand aside where security will wave a detection wand over your body and/or do a quick pat down (they should ask your permission to do this first and you can request a private room if you prefer)

• If you go to a private room, it will be with two attendants (same sex as you) who will do a further search, a wand will be used on your hands after you brush over your pouch to check for explosives/drugs. Don’t be too upset with this as the airport security officers training in such matters are more sensitive and their manner in dealing with such things has improved a lot recently.

• Sit close to the toilets if it makes you less anxious.

• And of course keep hydrated.

   

Your Destionation(s)

• If you do Colostomy Irrigation and the tap water is not potable (drinkable) use bottled water for the infusion into your bowel. Otherwise just proceed with the process as you usually do. (Don’t forget to pack your irrigation supplies in your carry on luggage).

• Take note of the contact details of your appliance company at your destination in case you need to contact them in case of an emergency.

• Maybe also take note of support groups at your destination.

• Australia has agreements with 11 countries that covers the cost of medically necessary care when Australians visit certain countries – check before you go to see if your destination is one of these countries (Belgium; Finland; Italy; Malta; The Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; The Republic of Ireland; Slovenia; Sweden and The United Kingdom).

• You can get help with costs for medically necessary care when you visit any of these countries that includes: emergency care; care for an illness or injury that can’t wait till you get home.

• You will still need to get your own travel insurance, declare your ostomy surgery to the insurance company (especially if less than 12 months ago).

• Once declared, you will be put through the insurer’s screening process to see if they will cover you.

• Shop around for adequate insurance cover, if you do not declare your pre-existing conditions you may not be covered.

I hope this all helps and have a great time. Remember being prepared is the key to a successful trip.

Carol

2026

go!